Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, commonly known as El Morro, is a 16th-century fortress built by the Spanish to protect San Juan from seaborne attacks. Positioned on the northwestern tip of Old San Juan, it overlooks the entrance to San Juan Bay and stands as one of Puerto Rico’s most recognizable landmarks.

Today, the fortress is part of the San Juan National Historic Site, which is managed by the U.S. National Park Service and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of the most visited attractions on the island due to its scale, preservation, and historical significance.

El Morro was the second fortress built in the island (after “La Fortaleza, which nowadays serves as the governor’s home). Construction of Castillo San Felipe del Morro began in 1539, making it one of the oldest Spanish forts in the Caribbean. Over the following centuries, it was expanded and reinforced to withstand advances in military technology and repeated attacks, including by Sir Francis Drake in 1595 and the Dutch in 1625. It wasn’t finalized until 1790, it lasted 250 years.

The fort’s design reflects the strategic importance of San Juan as a key port in Spain’s colonial empire. Its thick walls, sentry boxes (garitas), and layered defenses were intended to protect against both naval and land-based invasions.

The U.S. military also used El Morro, particularly during World War II, when additional bunkers and artillery were added to guard against possible German attacks in the Caribbean.

Today, El Morro serves as a historical site open to the public, providing insight into Puerto Rico’s colonial and military history.

El Morro became part of the National Park Service in 1961, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, becoming a monument and a museum. It is also among the most visited attractions of Puerto Rico, capturing the history of the island with its cannons, casemates, the chapel and the garitas, small enclosures where the Spanish used to stood guard, but that nowadays offer fantastic views.

When visiting Castillo San Felipe del Morro, here are some of the main features:

• Main Plaza: The central courtyard, once used for military drills and gatherings.
• Sentry Boxes (Garitas): Iconic small lookout towers located along the fort’s walls.
• Exhibits: Informational displays about the fort’s history, construction, and military use.
• Cannon Batteries: Original structures where cannons were placed to defend the bay.
• Views: Panoramic views of San Juan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from different levels.

The grassy esplanade in front of the fort is also a popular spot for locals to relax, fly kites, and enjoy the open space.

Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Entrance fee: $7 (kids under 14 enter free)